Norfolk & Norwich Rover Owners Club

The 32nd Bressingham Rally - 24th May 2009

Having suffered very wet weather on the previous 2 rallies, we were all holding our breath as we watched the forecasts in the week leading up to this year’s event. Day by day the prospects looked better and when the time came we were thankfully blessed with a warm, dry and sunny day. I met up with John Bishop, Peter Cane, Gareth Philips and Terry Reynolds, just before 9am and the field was ready when the cars started to arrive at around 10am. Over the next 2 hours the number built steadily until we had 87 parked up by class and on display. From the Rover stable there were 4 pre P4’s; 26 P4’s; 22 P5’s; 18 P6’s; 5 SD1’s plus an 800 Coupé, a good turnout and all helping to keep the famous Rover name alive. The non Rovers were well represented with 11 cars joining us which included a 1966 V8 Daimler (Mk2 Jaguar style), a 1960 Mercedes W121 Roadster, a lovely two tone green 1963 Wolseley 6/110, an excellent example of an open top MGB in showroom condition first registered in 1972 plus a fine example of the once popular but now rare Ford Anglia from 1961. Cars came from as far afield as London & Leeds and there were some really fine examples of each model in attendance. The ages of the cars ranged from 25 to 74 years with the oldest classic being a 1936 Rover P2 entered by club member Glen Reed of Wymondham. It is pleasing to see how the standard continues to improve year by year, but this does make the judging of the cars increasingly difficult.

The P4 Guild were well represented with committee members Colin Blowers & Derek Humphreys and Chairman Stan Johnstone joining us for the day, together with many Guild members. David Green represented the P5 club and Paul Smith the P6 club, together with a number of their members. We were also pleased to welcome 4 members from one of the Australian Rover clubs who were over on an extended stay.
Class winners were chosen by all those attending. Tom Norman, who many will remember as the pervious owner of Classic Rover specialists, Ely Services, chose best club car and Jim Brown, the current owner, chose the car of the show and presented the cups for us.

As always thanks go to all those who brought their cars along for the day, without these we would not have a show. To all club members who helped to organise and run the rally. Also to our member Frank Headon who brought his collection of spare parts, to Jim Brown for continuing to sponsor our event and making it possible, and last but not least to the staff of Bressingham for making such a splendid site available.

Next years event will be held on Sunday 30th May 2010 and I look forward to seeing you there.

Russell James

Click here for a printable entry form (after end of Feb)

Class Winners

Pre P4 Winner	G Reed	BLU 575	P2	P4 Winner	R James	511 XUC	100
Pre P4 Runner up	I Fogle	LFO 926	12	P4 Runner up	R Coleman	VYR 720	60
Pre P4 Third	F Gunning	MPF 862	P3	P4 Third	B Leggate	LBE 376	60
P5 Winner	F Berridge	HCJ 626E	3.5 Coupé	P6 Winner	D Woodward	VPX 709K	3.5
P5 Runner up	J Wallett	MVE 748H	3.5 Coupé	P6 Runner up	P Smith	149 FLK	2000
P5 Third	D Peacock	380 DBP	3.5 Coupé	P6 Third	J Tomlin	KKP 336P	3.5s
SD1 Winner	D Parker	A811 VMM	Vitesse	Non Rover Winner	J Williams	444 BJF	Mercedes W121
SD1 Runner up	E Randall	B705 WPV	--	Non Rover Second	J Grew	SEV 328	Ford Anglia
SD1 Third	P Hammond	ROC 973Y	--	Best Club Car	J Bishop	881 GRT	Mk1 P5
John Ringwood Memorial Trophy	N Hill	XXM 593	P4 100	Car of the Show Ely Services Trophy	J Tomlin	KKP 336P	3.5s